Chapter 4: Society
Objectives
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Among the social sciences, Sociology is the only academic discipline that provides a theoretical explanation for the formation of human societies. This uniquely sociological perspective is explored in an examination of four sociological visions of society.
After reviewing Chapter 4, you will be able to:
- Answer the questions, "How do societies differ?," "What do societies have in common?," and "How and why do societies change?"
- Differentiate between the four visions of society discussed in this chapter.
- Explain the sociological evolution from hunting and gathering societies to industrial societies developed by Gerhard and Jean Lenski.
- Contrast the different types of societies described by the Lenskis on the basis of their history, productive technology, population size, settlement patterns and social organization.
- Explain the model of society Karl Marx developed which is based on conflict and change.
- Discuss Marx's perspectives on capitalism, communism, revolution, alienation, and materialism.
- Explain the development of Rationality in social organizations that Max Weber recognized as the essential quality of modern society.
- Identify Weber's qualities of rationality in modern society.
- Describe Emile Durkheim's functional view of society, including his analysis of the influence of social facts and the role of the division of labor in society.